The Kona Mawson MTB Marathon aims to re-define Mountain biking Marathons in Australia. 350 KM of NON-STOP riding* on the Mawson Trail through the Flinders Ranges will get your heart and legs burning. With over $30,000 in both product and cash prizes, rugged single-track and trail riding and a MTB ambience to dream of, the KONA Mawson MTB Marathon is getting both Australian and international riders stoked to come out.
Latest News
The 2010 Kona Mawson MTB Marathon is done and dusted for you but not for us! We posted results and photos on this page (check out the photos/results tab) and welcome any feedback that you think might improve the event next year! E-mail lukac@bikesa.asn.au. We hope you had a great time, enjoyed the Mawson Trail, the stunning scenery and the experience of the inaugural Kona Mawson MTB Marathon. See you next year!
9 June - Day one finished and the scene is set for some tight racing. Check results under the daily results tab for more info, photos and full results. Updated after each stage!!
7 June - One day till the Kona Mawson MTB Marathon! It's happening! We hope all riders are as excited as we are to travel up north and begin this epic adventure! Daily reports and results will be posted on the website, as well as photos. So stay in touch, check the daily results and photos!
28 May - Mawson Trail route notes from Blinman to Melrose are now available for download. Go to the Ride Information tab and read up on the trail, the dangers, the easy bits, the gates and lots more!
21 May - Registrations for the Kona Mawson MTB Marathon close COB Monday 31 May!
Registrations are flowing in smoothly, with World champions such as Cristina Begy riding stage SOLO, Jason English teaming up with Andrew Bell, and more .. this race is going to have some fierce competition! Don't forget to register BEFORE Monday 31 May 5pm!
20 May - Rider Support Crew maps online now! These Rider Support Crew maps show where Support Crews can drive along the Mawson Trail and where they must take a detour. Use these in conjunction with the hard copy Mawson Trail maps riders receive as part of their entry. You can find under the tab "Ride Information".
22 April - TORQ DISCOUNTS FOR ENTRANTS TORQ are offering a 10% discount to all entrants of the Kona Mawson MTB Marathon on any orders over $50, placed by 4th of June 2010. Just send an email with your order to genevieve@torqaustralia.com.au and mention this event website. Orders can be sent prior to the event, or collected from the TORQ van when you register. For more information, check out the Ride Information tab...
21 April - TORQ RIDING Torq has come on board for the Kona Mawson MTB Marathon in June, providing energy snacks and electrolyte drinks. Riders from the Torq team are also competing in the Stage and Non-Stop challenge. Check out www.torqaustralia.com.au to find out more about Torq and what they're contributing to the Kona Mawson MTB Marathon. ALL THE WAY FROM HONOLULU Cristina Begy is travelling from the States to compete in the Kona Mawson MTB Marathon. Cristina is a champion in the world of mountain biking and is currently registered to ride solo in the stage format of the event ...
31 March - KONA MAWSON MTB MARATHON BROADCAST GLOBALLY Bicycle SA's 2010 Kona Mawson MTB Marathon will be filmed for an hour-long documentary for broadcast around the world on free-to-air and pay TV. The documentary will be broadcast to over 200 million viewers on ESPN (Asia), Australian Network (Asia), Sky NZ, UK BskyB, Sky Sports (South Africa), with the possible addition of National Free to Air Broadcast and Foxtel in Australia. The production company, RJ Media, has significant experience with mountain biking and events including the 2009 Cape to Cape in WA. The documentary has been made possible with generous support from Events SA, Southern Flinders Regional Tourism Authority, Flinders Ranges and Outback Tourism and other regional stakeholders. This is part of an arrangement to film the event over the next three years. The filming of the Kona Mawson MTB Marathon is a huge step towards underlining this event as a major mountain bike race of national and international significance. Many riders will complete the event in stages, while others will race non-stop to the finish. There isn't any other event quite like it in the southern hemisphere. With more than $30,000 in the prize pool, including up to $8,000 for first place, the Kona Mawson MTB Marathon is set to capture the imagination of mountain bikers around the world. And now, with all the action broadcast globally, the stakes are even greater.
24 March - Prizes and categories updated!!! Also, Version 3 of the ride guide available for download as of today! You can find it all under the "About the ride" section.
12 Feb - Online Registrations NOW OPEN! If you are the type that gets in line 3 hours ahead of departure at airports, then you will be happy to know that online registrations have opened up for those ready to ride and get into the marathon mood. Sometimes it's just nice to mark a great riding trip in your planner months ahead with big red marker! Go to the Prices and Rego tab to register.
11 Feb - The Kona Mawson MTB Marathon non-stop start day has been moved to Friday 11 June. Originally it was scheduled for Thursday, but it has been re-scheduled to ensure all riders finish in Melrose on the Saturday. There isn?t any change to the Stage start day of Wednesday 9 June.
10 Feb - V.2 of the Ride Guide is now available to read! Check out "About the ride" to download the info!
25 Jan - Registrations will be temporarily closed but online soon again. In the mean-time, check out the blogs, pictures and video about the Marathon!
Kona Mawson MTB Marathon - "It was an awesome race, we had a great time,
bikesa did a fantastic job." Jason, 2010
RIDE INFO
You've taken the brave decision to leave your comfort zone and join Bicycle SA for the marathon of a lifetime!
The Kona Mawson MTB Marathon is a true test of physical capacity, commitment and skill. The test is to ride the Mawson Trail from its northern most outpost (the Blinman Hotel) to Melrose in the Southern Flinders Ranges, over 350km away.
The net result is downhill, but only just, and there are plenty of ups to go with the downs. Combined with the Triple Peak Challenge - climbs on foot up St.Mary's Peak, Mount Brown and Mount Remarkable - the Kona Mawson MTB Marathon is the ultimate enduro.
Many of the riders will take on the challenge in measured stages, overnighting in Rawnsley Park, Hawker and Quorn. But the holy grail of challenges is for those who take it all on in one go, non-stop. For riders in pairs there is the opportunity, once the flag goes down in Blinman, to simply race all the way to finish to be the inaugural Kona Mawson MTB Marathon champion ... or at least to gain a place on the podium.
While the target for some is to be first across the line, the Kona Mawson MTB Marathon is designed to have you, your support crew and spectators enjoying themselves as you put yourself to the test, beyond what you thought you could achieve.
If you're here simply for the personal challenge and the general camaraderie, you can still support the others who are riding non-stop. Your calls of encouragement are sometimes all that keeps them going; that and the thought of being on the podium and walking away with a portion of the huge prize pool.
There are many great locations along the Mawson Trail, perfect to view theaction and enjoy the spectacular scenery. The Staging Posts are in busy towns (or in the case of Rawnsley Park, a busy tourism operation), where there's plenty to keep you occupied and nourished. Apart from the essentials (first aid and shelter), there'll be a great atmosphere with a few tunes and plenty of buzz. There may even be the occasional handful of jelly beans to grab as you pass through. Anything and everything to keep your legs pumping.
Come up with a unique theme and dress your team and support crew in some stand-out garb and reap the respect of your fellow riders and maybe earn yourself an award for bravery. Outfits that challenge the principals of streamlining also earn a special mention. Everything from the brightest clothing to reindeer suits, Little Red Riding Hood,Wedding clothes, Pyjamas and togas have been seen on the trails in thepast to great effect. It may be we're even graced with the presence ofthe Mawson Man, the mythical mountain biker sometimes seen in these parts, most often at dusk, riding in the distance just off the Mawson Trail wearing nothing but an Australian Standards bicycle helmet. You have been warned.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION TO READ
Information you might want to
read well before the event to ensure you and your bike are ready for the
marathon:
IMPORTANT UPDATES TO READ, click HERE. Posted 28 May 2010.
Download
the full 2010 KONA MAWSON MTB MARATHON Ride Guide HERE. Posted 28 May 2010.
Download the Mawson Trail
Route noteshere. Posted 28 May 2010.
UPDATE:There will be set Opening
and Closing times for specific sections of the route each day. You'll
need to plan your day so you ensure you stay within these time limits.
Click Here for
more details.
Triple Peak Maps available for download!Posted 05 June 2010
Download St Marys Track here Download Mt Remarkable Track here
What you need to know about your bike's needs:
My_bike.pdf
Gear up! A handy checklist
to pack your bags: My_gear.pdf
Information
on the trail, how to ride on and respect the soil, and the Mountain
Bike Code of Practice: My_ride.pdf
In
case you don't quite know what to expect from your body, here are some
suggested training tips to prepare your muscles for this epic ride:
My_Training.pdf
MAWSON TRAIL MAPS FOR
SUPPORT CREW
These
Rider Support Crew maps show where Support Crews can drive along the
Mawson Trail and where they must take a detour. Use these in conjunction
with the hard copy Mawson Trail maps riders receive as part of their
entry. These Rider Support Crew maps are large files because they have a
lot of detail.
The purple line shows the Mawson Trail
The green line shows sections of the Mawson Trail
where Support Crews can follow the route (as per protocol detailed in
the Ride Guide)
The orange line
shows where Support Crews must take a detour to the next location where
they can intersect with the Mawson Trail
The black circles mark
where Bicycle SA will operate a refreshment or food point
The sections of the Mawson
Trail not marked in green cannot be travelled by Support Crews. Some are
sections of rougher road / track only accessible to bike or 4WD. The
limitations placed on Support Crews accessing the Mawson Trail are
primarily to ensure rider safety.
The order of the maps, following the race direction is:
(click to view)
NOTE: If the map has downloaded but is not showing properly,
try scrolling down and clicking on the map or view it at 50% or 75%, it
should come up then!
TORQ are offering a 10% discount to all entrants of the Kona Mawson MTB Marathon on any orders over $50, placed by 4th of June 2010. Just send an email with your order to genevieve@torqaustralia.com.au and mention this website. Orders can be sent prior to the event, or collected from the TORQ van when you register.
Hydration will be key during this event so make sure you have TORQ energy at the ready with all 5 electrolytes and all the carbohydrates you need.
TORQ Performance nutrition is already known as one of the top sports nutrition products available in Australia. Supplying all the energy you need from pre exercise right through to recovery. Mountain Biking is as grueling an endurance sport as any other. Our products are used by elite-level Cross Country racers, Downhillers and 24-hour soloists and we sponsor and manage our own Mountain Bike Race Team. The principles of sports nutrition hold true for any branch of endurance sport - if you have an endurance goal, TORQ is there to help you achieve it.
"You're all living on the edge, pushing to your limits and exploring the unknown. But no cliché is ever going to sum up you and your team, so you don't want to look like one either. While you know how to burn up the single track, we know how to make you look like the gun team you are. Put eight or ten heads together, brainstorm some ideas and drop us a line. Our designers will get their creative juices flowing and you'll end up with the best looking kit this side of the black diamonds. When your legs are screaming and batteries fading, your Custom designed Body Torque team kit will still be going strong." Click here to go to their homepage.
Mixed Teams of 5 to 8 riding as a group (minimum two women riders)
Open Teams riding relay (no team limit)
All teams riding as a group must ride together, within 50 metres of each other. The time recorded will be that of the last rider in any team riding as a group across the finish line.
Prizes
Over $30,000* in prizes is up for grabs, combining a mixture of cash and product. Detailed prizes will be published closer to event time, but in summary cash prizes will be awarded as follows:
NON STOP DUO
FIRST PLACE
SECOND PLACE
THIRD PLACE
Male
$4,000*
$2,000*
$1,000*
Female
$4,000*
$2,000*
$1,000*
Mixed
$4,000*
$2,000*
$1,000*
*PLUS $4,000 BONUS FOR DUO TEAM WITH FASTEST TIME OVERALL
STAGE RACE
FIRST PLACE
SECOND PLACE
THIRD PLACE
Solo Male
$1,000
$750
$500
Solo Female
$1,000
$750
$500
*All cash prizes are in Australian dollars and are per team.
Note:
All other category 1st, 2nd and 3rd place-getters will win product prizes from Kona and other prize sponsors, including bike accessories and clothing.
Additional spot prizes will be awarded for various mini-challenges en route, as well as outrageous outfits, best support crew and for all magnificent achievements!
Every rider receives a participation certificate in recognition of their achievement.
First riders who ascend each of the climbs in the Triple Peak Challenge win product prizes; and every rider who competes in the Triple Peak Challenge receives a participation certificate in recognition of their achievement.
Prizes will be awarded in Melrose from 5:30pm on Saturday night, as part of the Fat Tyre Festivities.
Bicycle SA records times for each rider and team.
Bicycle SA determines category winners and second and third place getters as determined within the rules of competition; as well as spot prize winners.
Confirmation of places may be subject to change if penalties apply. The decision of Bicycle SA is final, and there is not any appeal process. Correspondence regarding placings will not be entered into.
Placings will be published on the Bicycle SA website.
The allocation of all prizes is subject to appropriate participation levels in different categories.
Prize details may change without notice.
DRAFT ROUTE ONLY - SUBJECT TO CHANGE - ACCURACY OF GPX FILE FOR GPS USE IS NOT GUARANTEED
1Fee per rider. Inclusions according to Basic Package. Luggage transfer, Lunch and refreshment en route included. See below for details
2Optional Deluxe or dome camping options at extra cost. Fee per tent/based on 2 nights
3optional Catering package incl 2x dinner, 2x breakfast
Alternatively, please download the hardcopy form HERE and fax or post to us.
2. STAGE RIDERS
MEMBER
NON-MEMBER
BASIC ENTRY FEE1
$435
$485
LUGGAGE TRFR2
$65
$65
DELUXE CAMPING3
$280
$280
DOME CAMPING3
$200
$200
CATERING PACKAGE4
$175
$175
1Fee per rider. Inclusions according to Basic Package. Lunch and refreshment en route included. See below for inclusions
2Luggage transfers to/from each stage
3Optional Deluxe or dome camping options at extra cost. Fee per tent/based on 5 nights
4optional Catering package incl 5x dinner, 5x breakfast
Alternatively, please download the hardcopy form HERE and fax or post to us.
3. SUPPORT CREW
MEMBER
NON-MEMBER
SUPPORT CREW1
$100
$150
1Check the Ride Guide (Version 3) for details on inclusion for support crew. Fee per person. Flat rate for support crew of both non-stop and stage riders
Alternatively, please download the hardcopy form HERE and fax or post to us.
4. COACH TRANSFERS (incl. passenger, bike & luggage)
(The bus leaves from the Bicycle SA office. Address is 111 Franklin St, Adelaide 5000. Skylink shuttle buses are available from the airport to the central bus station, which is across from our offices. Check out http://www.skylinkadelaide.com/skyflash.html for more information and pricing.)
TUE 8 JUNE
ADELAIDE-BLINMAN
9AM DEPART
$95*
MELROSE-BLINMAN
12PM DEPART
$65*
THU 10 JUNE
ADELAIDE-BLINMAN
9AM DEPART
$95*
MELROSE-BLINMAN
12PM DEPART
$65*
SUN 13 JUNE
MELROSE-ADELAIDE
9AM DEPART
$70*
PARKING IN ADELAIDE - $11/DAY* (contact Bicycle SA for full details incl booking/payment)
PARKING IN MELROSE - FEE TBA (CONTACT Bicycle SA office)
Alternatively, please download the hardcopy form HERE and fax or post to us.
Note: BASIC Entry Fee for ALL riders includes the following:
Chances to win category and spot prizes
Detailed ride information
Access to each Staging Post event village
Undercover shelter with heating, tables and chairs
Camping spots based on a total of 3mx3m per person
Flush toilets and hot showers
Refreshments en route, including fresh fruit, fruit cake, biscuits, scroggin, water, Nippy's fruit juices, Powerade, tea and coffee
Transport of additional personal food and refreshment provisions to refreshment stations, as required
Lunches en route
Transport of luggage (and bike box, if applicable) from Blinman to Melrose (non-stop Duo teams only; see Optional Extras below for Stage Race details)
Fully signed and supported route
Mawson Trail maps between Blinman and Melrose
Experienced marshals and support crew
First Aid
Neutral mechanical back-up and support (fees apply for parts and service)
Computer timing system
NiteFLUX neutral battery charging and loan service
Rider number plate and participation certificate
Commemorative event t-shirt
Optional Extras include:
Dinner and breakfast catering packages
Transport of luggage (and bike box, if applicable) from Staging Post to Staging Post (for Stage Race participants only)
Deluxe Camping or Dome Camping (we set up and pack down either a large canvas tent or smaller dome tent for you, complete with air mattresses). Fees for either option are per tent, which can accommodate up to two people
Bicycle SA offers a one-year membership which includes personal accident and third party insurance. All participants are strongly encouraged to ensure they have adequate insurance cover (including ambulance cover)
Coach transfers for passenger, bike and luggage between Adelaide, Melrose and Blinman. Note coach transfers do not include lunch or refreshments en route
Car Parking for event duration in Adelaide or Melrose (Contact Bicycle SA office for details)
Additional food for sale
Massage therapy (fees based on time taken)
Private support crew fees
Mountain bike hire
Cabin or alternative accommodation
Melrose Fat Tyre Festival activities outside of those shared with the Kona Mawson MTB Marathon
2010 Photos taken by BSA Staff - click to enlarge!
Hot from the Press!
August 2010 - Read Arran Pearson write-up on the KMM for International Mountain Bike magazine http://www.imbikemag.com/issue7
July 2010 - Reporter Huw Kingston and Arran Pearson write about their Kona Mawson Marathon adventure for Mountain Biking Australia A/S/O 2010 - MBA_ASO_2010.pdf
Pre-event track testing: This video shows Andrew Bell and James Williamson while Mick Ross is filming during a pre-event trip to the Flinders; crazy riding on the Mawson Trail featured!
PRIZES!
$30,000* to WIN!
up to $8,000* First Prize *Check out the Categories & Prizes. Combined cash and product prizes
Newsletter
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up to get news updates about the 2011 Kona Mawson MTB Marathon!
2010 Event Photos
2010 Photos taken by BSA Staff - click to enlarge!
Professional photos take by photographer Travis Deane
HERE
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